How to Say ‘Take care’ in Japanese
お気をつけて
o ki o tsuke te
[oh kee oh tsoo-KEH teh]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Said to someone about to travel or leave, this is an everyday courtesy rather than a real warning.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific/polite prefix
A polite prefix that makes a word sound more refined or respectful.
おすすめのおは、ことばを丁寧にします。
The o in osusume makes the word more polite.
気
ki
[kee]
care; attention
A word meaning attention or caution, often used in safety expressions.
気をつけてください。
Please be careful.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
つけ
tsuke
[tsoo-KEH]
to pay (attention); to apply
Stem of つける; with 気を it means to pay attention, i.e. be careful.
車に気をつけてください。
Please watch out for cars.
て
te
[teh]
and; -te form
A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.
仕事を探している人と話しました。
I spoke with a person who is looking for work.
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